March 19 is International Read to Me Day. This day is meant to celebrate the joy of reading and for little ones, the joy of being read to. It encourages communities to develop a passion for reading in their young ones that they can take with them throughout their lives.
If your elderly loved one has always loved reading, she might like the opportunity to celebrate this day – whether it’s at home or in the community. If you’re looking for some community opportunities, an elder care provider can help by providing some research with local organizations. Her elder care provider might also be able to provide a ride to and from a location if needed.
Here are four ways your loved one can read to children on International Read to Me Day.
Connect with a local school. Many schools are often searching for volunteers to help with a myriad of tasks. They need help out on the playground, in the lunchroom, and in the library. Your loved one might be able to provide reading hour to the youngest students on International Read to Me day. Volunteering in a school is usually pretty simple, with a couple of forms and maybe a background check before she begins.
Check with the library. The library is another great place for reading events and they may have an entire day centered around this holiday. If they don’t, your loved one could even suggest starting up a program for reading to little ones. She’ll want to make sure she has books she can easily read the print from and a nice comfortable place to sit where children can gather around on the floor. Her elder care provider can help with preparation and transportation if needed.
Looking to stay closer to home? Have the grandkids come over on International Read to Me Day for story hour with your loved one. You can make some fresh cookies beforehand with her elder care provider, and set out blankets and pillows for the kiddos to sit on. You can do a mix of favorite stories that the kids love along with some new stories they’ve never read before. If there is a big age gap in kids, your loved one might have two reading sessions – one for younger kids and one for the older ones.
Want to read to loved ones but live far away? Modern technology like Zoom meetings can make a great link to those that live far away. Your loved one can still read to her grandkids that live on the other side of the country by having everyone gather around their laptops as she reads their favorite stories.
Finally, another thing to consider on this holiday is having someone read to your aging loved one. Maybe she can no longer read well and thus can’t read to others. You can have family members, her elder care provider or neighbors read to her for this holiday, keeping the spirit alive that reading enriches everyone’s life no matter their age.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING ELDER CARE IN LOS ALTOS, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969
